Simple Evolution

My Bead Soup partner from last year was Nan Emmet of Spirited Earth. She makes wonderful ceramic pendants and beads (not to mention really, really cool spirit rattles).


This picture is the first necklace I made with her cute starfish pendant. meh. I was going for simple and just got blah. So, I turned to my favorite reason for working with metal - the hammer. :)

I beat the hell out of some copper, made some dangles, and voila - simple without the meh.

Not So Shiny

My goodies from yesterday have been patina'd and finished up, all ready for my show next weekend in Lake Odessa. Putting a patina on copper brings out so many wonderful colors.

All Shiny

Here are some of this week's goodies, all tumbled and ready for some patina.

The piece on the right is another one created with my funky discs. The piece on the left I created with some lovely boro beads from amie3. She has some yummy beads.

Stay tuned tomorrow for the post-patina pics.

Stormy Weather

We had some nasty weather blow through last night. We were more fortunate than many of our neighboring counties, as we only saw some bad lightning and thunderstorms. I do love watching storms come in. The DH wasn't home, so I stood on the porch and snapped a couple of pictures. :)

I am preparing for a show next weekend, Art in the Park in Lake Odessa, Michigan. I've been creating goodies after work, and by the time I'm done at night the sun is down and I've been unable to take pictures. I'll talke a bunch this weekend and share.

Recent Work

To make up for my absence, I thought I would post some pics of my recent work.






I designed this necklace with some boro beads I won from the spectacular Lori Anderson. I am having so much fun with copper and patina. The colors are never quite what I expect but are always what I need (cue the Rolling Stones).





Lately, I have become addicted to making funky, not-quite-round, discs. I primarily use soft glass, but I am in currently in love with Gaffer Chalcedony, Gaffer Blue Chalcedony, and the traditional raku. The chalcedonies and raku have always been vexing for lampworkers. They can produce a wonderful range of colors all within one bead. They also can produce blah colors. I love them all, good and bad.



This is a finished piece I sold at a show in Kalamazoo a couple of weekends ago. I think it shows the variety of chalcedony (these discs are blue and regulary chalcedony).

Still Having Problems with Blogger

I took a break from blogging for a couple of weeks; between Blogger issues, stress at work, a couple of shows to prepare for, and a couple of custom orders, it just was too much.

Everything is under control, except for my Blogger issues. When I log in, my blog doesn't show that I am logged in. I can click on 'sign in' and it takes me to my dashboard, but I still am experienceing problems commenting on any Blogger blog.

Feh.

Weekend in the Woods

I spent last weekend up in the woods with about 20 crazy glass ladies. We had so much fun. Lots of glass, laughter, and food. I am so grateful to have so many fun people in my life; it just gets better every year!

1 Lab + 8 Rocks = $800

Part of what occupied my week last week was our lab, Kaylee. She's always been a handful; she's eaten sticks, pens, towels, blankets, and rocks. Everything has always made a, um, successful journey. Rocks she can usually hork back up the next day, but we always knew it was a matter of time before surgery was needed.

Well, last week the time came for surgery. One morning, the hyper three year-old lab went outside and just sat down. No running around, no barking at mysterious creatures in the woods. She just sat there, a sure sign something was wrong. Took her to vet, they took an x-ray, and sure enough, a belly full of rocks. They really wanted to avoid surgery, but after 24 hours the rocks were still there. Into surgery she went. Everything went well, and we are now the proud owner of an $800 baggie of 8 rocks.

Good thing she's cute.

Here is a picture of Kaylee & Xena staring out the window, guarding against evil hordes of chipmunks.

Here is a close up of our old lady, Xena.

Glassy Goodness

Attending Camp Dipwad at the West Michigan Glass Art Center two weeks ago may have kicked my muse into high gear, but it also left little time for the internet, Facebook, and my neglected blog.

I've spent the past two weeks making beads, creating jewelry, and taking care of our lab who had surgery to remove eight rocks from her belly (more on that later).

Here are few pictures from the WMGAC:

14 people can torch at the same time!

Here I am making my sweet paperweight!

Kicking My Muse in the Keister

Saturday, I spent the day at the West Michigan Glass Art Center. Twice a year, my local glassy peeps rent the lampwork studio for a day. They have about 14 torches, and we buddy up, melt glass, trade tips and tricks, and eat. And make beads. And eat. And eat.

This year, some of us also took a paperweight class. OMG. BIG heat. It was wonderful. Techincally, the glory hole temperature is "cooler" than the torch I use, but it is much, much bigger. I thought my face was going to melt off. I will post pics tomorrow, but here is a pitcure of my paperweight. I pick it up Thursday. I plan on carrying it like a baby at work on Friday. :)

Busy Night

Listing new earrings on Etsy, doing laundry, and watching the tornado watches all around us.

Stay safe, everybody!

Whatcha Doing this Weekend?

Take a short drive up to Cadillac, Michigan, and come see me at the Northern Michigan Bead and Jewelry Show. This is the second year, and there will be many great artists!

Trying to Get Back in the Groove

Crazy times. Busy at work, busy at home; no time for beads or jewelry, yet deadlines loom. Throw in a vacation and time with out of state family, and suddenly it is April. APRIL, people. *sigh* Back into the groove. Time to make jewelry, beads, and blog posts. See you all tomorrow.

Extra Gratitude Today

As I watch the footage and read the articles about the earthquake and tsnumani devastation across the Pac Rim, I can't stop thinking about the people I've met over these 6 years since I've started lampworking. I've met (online) people from all over the world, many of them affected by the recent earthquakes in NZ, Chile, and now Japan. Although knowing peole that are living thorugh this makes the coverage that much more difficult, I am grateful to know so many people, even if it only online.

Hug your loved ones.

Quote of the Day

I am what I am today because of the choices I made yesterday.
-- Eleanor Roosevelt

I'm in a Treasury!

I've only been selected to be in a couple of treasuries on Etsy, and it makes me squeal like a little kid every time. The treasury is called Juicy Tangerine, and she chose a pendant from my Lime Dots series. Check it out!

Wishing for Spring

I've been adding many new items to my Etsy shop; goddesses, a manatee, a turtle, and lots of pendants and earrings. My favorite items right now is my Lime Dots series. I just love the orange and green dots on this bracelet. It makes me think of Spring.

Sensory Overload

I had so much fun last night at the Kalamazoo Art Hop. Lots of people, lots of fun. Between the Bead Soup (I still have 40 blogs to visit) and the Art Hop, this past weeks has just been on big sensory overload adventure. But oh, what a great adventure.

I have to go pick up our truck (with new transmission - ugh- ), so more posts and blog visits tonight.

Kalamazoo Art Hop - March 4th

If you are in Kalamazoo tomorrow, March 4th, stop by the West Michigan Glass Art Center for the monthly Art Hop!

Stil Hungry for Soup

*phew* I am halfway through the Bead Soup blogs. I am having so much fun seeing everyone's creations!

Please see the post below for my creation and the full lost of blogs.